System hook up

[Papa Skynski]

I have a question regarding the hook up of my system. I recently switched to Directv and the installer recommended hooking up both HDMI and optical cables to my units. I am hooking up a Samsung 52" LCD, Pioneer Elite SC-05, Sony bluray and Toshiba HDDVD. Does this sound correct or am I defeating the purpose of the HDMI by also hooking up digital optical to my receiver?

 

[lsiberian]

I have a question regarding the hook up of my system. I recently switched to Directv and the installer recommended hooking up both HDMI and optical cables to my units. I am hooking up a Samsung 52" LCD, Pioneer Elite SC-05, Sony bluray and Toshiba HDDVD. Does this sound correct or am I defeating the purpose of the HDMI by also hooking up digital optical to my receiver?

The box may not do audio over HDMI and even if it does it may be unreliable. Perhaps he wants you to avoid trouble. I think I'd try everything via hdmi first. Maybe he doesn't know his formats.

 

[Adam]

Good points, lsiberian. The installer may also not be familiar with which receivers can process audio over HDMI and which can't and might have played it safe by recommending the use of optical connections.

 

[Papa Skynski]

Thanks for the quick responses.....The installer did mention that his thoughts were that this would give me the best sound from my system? I just got a little confused with the fact that I thought that HDMI gave better audio over optical..........again, THANKS !!!!!!!

 

[JerryLove]

Thanks for the quick responses.....The installer did mention that his thoughts were that this would give me the best sound from my system? I just got a little confused with the fact that I thought that HDMI gave better audio over optical..........again, THANKS !!!!!!!

HDMI audio has more bandwidth to work with and so can support formats that the standard optical/coaxial digital connection cannot.